Mark Kennedy: “assistance to those in need is not only important, it is vital. However, that assistance must be enabling, not…”

“assistance to those in need is not only important, it is vital. However, that assistance must be enabling, not disabling. To me, welfare reform success must be measured by how many people no longer need temporary assistance, food stamps, or Medicaid, and how many are moved to a life of self-sufficiency, dignity, opportunity and hope. Before moving forward, it is useful to review and look back on the welfare reform legislation from 1996. It had three goals. First, reducing welfare dependence and increasing employment. Today 4 million fewer people are living in poverty than when welfare reform was enacted. Second, reducing child poverty. Since welfare reform, welfare dependence has been cut nearly in half. Third, reducing illegitimacy and strengthening marriage. For nearly three decades, out-of-wedlock births as a share of all births rose steadily at a rate of almost 1 percentage point per year. Welfare reform has stopped this trend in its tracks. H.R. 4737 is based on the principles of this past reform. It increases minimum work requirements, but it builds in cushions for sick days and holidays, simulating a typical American work schedule. It makes special accommodation for parents with infants, and for individuals who need a substance abuse treatment, rehabilitation or special work-related training.”